FY2012 MRCOG Budget and Financial Plan

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Message from the Executive Director

In my second year as Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments, it is my pleasure to provide the Board of Directors, our member governments, and interested citizens with our annual budget. As one might expect during these lean economic times, this report represents a maintenance-of-effort budget. Going forward, we will strive to find creative ways to serve our member agencies, while being frugal and conscious of the need to make our dollars stretch even farther.

The overall budget is smaller than last year's as New Mexico Rail Runner Express capital projects are now completed. These completed projects include the Belen Pedestrian Bridge, the Santo Domingo (Kewa) Station, the Sandia Pueblo Station, and a photovoltaic system for the Santa Fe train station. The budget is likewise reduced as the MRCOG no longer handles Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Additionally, I've streamlined our organization and consolidated the number of top level managers from three down to two. The position of Transportation Director is now responsible for Rail Runner operations, Rio Metro, and metropolitan area planning. Despite financial tightening, we are making every effort to continue to take on new projects where possible and seek alternative sources of funding to better support the region.

For fiscal year 2012 we have a number of interesting projects, including: a major update to the Future Albuquerque Area Bicycle and Streets report; the development of alternative land-use scenarios looking at sustainable land use and transportation planning for the region; transitioning to a new modeling platform and GIS environment that will provide interactive mapping on our website; and completion of the Village of Los Lunas Corridor Study.

In our economic development program, we will work to implement the recently adopted Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report; implement the Regional Innovation Center program; and market the newly redesigned, regional and collaborative business enticement website, nmsitesearch.com.

Through our workforce development program, we're building stronger relationships with industry groups, trade associations, and schools to better understand job market trends, and respond with more customized services. We feel these efforts are particularly important during this down economy, as we would like to see businesses better utilize our services and facilities.

We will work with the members of the board to continue to support regionalism, where possible. We greatly appreciate the financial support of our member agencies, and please let us know how we may serve you better.

Sincerely,

Dewey V. Cave, Executive Director